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Murrumbidgee Landcare e-news No. 20 - March 2013

Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc (MLi) is a not-for-profit organisation representing community Landcare in the Murrumbidgee catchment. Our e-news is a project of MLi and the Regional Landcare Facilitator project, Murrumbidgee. Please contact us to have content included in our next, monthly e-news.

In the 1980s Phillip was the Director of the Australian Conservation Foundation. He teamed up with Rick Farley from the National Farmers Federation. Together they had a vision and the National Landcare program was born.

Introductory erosion control workshop - Breadlebane

Breadalbane Plains Landcare Group Inc. supported by Upper Lachlan Landcare Inc. is holding a one day workshop with internationally acclaimed watershed restoration and erosion control expert Craig Sponholtz of Dryland Solutions.

Put on by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority this one one-day soil carbon workshop will provide an update on the latest information on carbon from a local, state, national perspective.

In this special year celebrating the Centenary of Canberra the Molonglo Catchment Group (MCG) and the Artists Society of Canberra (ASOC) have joined forces with the two other catchment groups in the area, the Southern ACT Catchment Group, and the Ginninderra Catchment Group to put on a more extensive Art exhibition and a competition that incorporates the work of artists who are members of, or are affiliated with the catchment groups.

AWARDS

Prime Ministers Environment Award

Caring for the environment? You deserve an award!

Every day, thousands of people across Australia are doing incredible things to protect our environment and create a truly sustainable future for our country. To recognise those unsung heroes in our community, nominations are now open for the Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year and Young Environmentalist of the Year Awards.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Community Landcare Grants

Applications close 5pm 20th March

Grants between $5000 to $50 000 (GST exclusive) are available to help local community-based organisations and groups take on-ground action as well as build their capacity and skills to manage their natural environment and productive lands.

Coles are providing School Garden Grants of up to $1,000 to schools and youth groups to help create gardens in their grounds or community, such as bush tucker gardens, water wise gardens or veggie gardens.

Grants of $5000 to $100,000 available to community and non-profit associations.

There is a two stage application process. Expressions of Interest (EOI) close on Friday 26 April 2013. Successful EOIs will then be invited to submit a full application in July 2013.

The aim of the Education program is to support educational projects or programs that develop or widen the community's knowledge of, skills in, and commitment to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable behaviour.

This program provides grants to schools to give them the opportunity to involve their students and community in developing and implementing environmental management projects.

The overall objective of the Food Gardens in Schools Program is to provide learning opportunities for students, teachers and other members of the school community about healthy sustainable living through growing and harvesting food in school gardens.

As most Landcarers are aware, the Minister for Primary Industries (Hon. Katrina Hodgkinson) has set in train a process to amalgamate the functions previously performed by the advisory and regulatory staff of the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Catchment Management Authorities (CMA’s) and Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (LHPA’s). The amalgamation into Local Land Services (LLS) is in part being managed by a Reference Panel convened by Dr John Keniry, a Panel that has consulted widely with stakeholders on the LLS boundaries, various models of governance, and the types of services the LLS might provide.

A range of practical resources are available for Landcare community events and projects. Hardware, books and event equipment can be borrowed through the Murrumbidgee Landcare (MLi) office or through your Regional Landcare Facilitator. Other items are available for download.

Part of a series of revegetation guides published by Greening Australia.

See the full catalogue of resources available for loan by Landcare groups.

“In Safe Hands”

The “In Safe Hands” tool kit is an Occupational Health and Safety tool kit for conservation volunteers. It is now available on line at the Conservation Volunteers Australia Website. It can be downloaded free of charge up to 30 June 2013.